Swilling headed to Georgia Hall

Hometown Sports

Posted: Thursday, March 04, 2004

By Chris J. StarrsCorrespondent

Toccoa native Pat Swilling spent four years playing football at Stephens County, four more years at Georgia Tech and 14 years in the NFL. But Swilling admits the most consuming job he's ever had came after his football days ended.

Swilling, who lives in New Orleans, served nearly four years in the Louisiana State Legislature, losing in his bid to return to the House of Representatives by 300 votes late last year.

"I've never had a tougher job," said Swilling of his public service career. "But I really enjoyed serving. It was a great opportunity."

Swilling isn't sure about his future political plans, but he knows where he'll be on April 3, the day he and eight others are inducted into the Georgia Sports Hall of Fame in Macon. Joining Swilling in the Hall's Class of 2004 are Dominique Wilkins, George Rogers, Claude Humphrey, Tim Simpson, John "Blue Moon" Odom, Pepper Rodgers, Wade Mitchell and James K. Harper Jr.

"I'm definitely excited," said Swilling, who was enshrined in the Georgia Tech Hall of Fame in 1991 and the New Orleans Saints Hall of Fame in 2000. "From where I started, I never expected that 20 years later I'd be inducted into the Hall of Fame. That's not even a dream most kids would have. But I was very fortunate to be surrounded by great players and great coaches. This is a tribute to my success and to the people who paved the way with me."

After graduating from Stephens County in 1982, Swilling spent four years at Georgia Tech, earning All-America and All-ACC honors. He was a third-round draft pick of the Saints in 1986 and was named the NFL's Defensive Player of the Year in 1991. After seven years with the Saints, Swilling played two years in Detroit and closed his career after five years with the Oakland Raiders. He was a six-time pick for the Pro Bowl.

Now that his football career is over and his political career is on hold, Swilling owns and operates a real estate and development company. He and his wife Robin have three children - Patrick Jr., Starr and Tré.

"I enjoyed my time in the Legislature, but before I think about politics again, I want it to be the right situation," he said. "I now have more time to spend with my wife and kids, and with my business, which I love."

Ice Dogs go for the ACHA tourney title

The University of Georgia's club hockey team will vie for the American Collegiate Hockey Association's crown this weekend at the national championship tournament in Scottsdale, Ariz.

The Ice Dogs (27-3-1) and the top seed from the ACHA's Southern Division (they're also members of the College Hockey South League), will meet Radford in an opening-round matchup at noon today.

"It took a lot of hard work for us to get there," said Ice Dogs president Ryan Brouillette, a junior from Marietta who plays left wing. "We had a lot of long road trips in the first month of the season, and that solidified us as a team. We took off from there and haven't looked back since."

Brouillette said the top three teams from each of the ACHA's five divisions were invited to Scottsdale ("It's a lot like the BCS," he quipped), adding that Georgia Tech, Arizona State, Florida State and the University of Wyoming were among other schools invited. In addition to leading the Southern Division, the Ice Dogs, coached by John Hoos, are ranked No. 4 nationally.

The team receives financial help from the University's Recreation Sports Committee, but has to do a raise funds for its operations budget.

Last year, the Ice Dogs played their home games at the Duluth Ice Forum, and battled Kennesaw State after an Atlanta Thrashers game at Philips Arena last weekend. This year, the team also had several opportunities to play at Gwinnett Arena.

"That's been wonderful," said Brouillette of playing at the Arena. "The people there are so great. We'll schedule as many games as possible there."

Captain David "Boss" Bausano, a junior finance major from Illinois has led the team in scoring the past three seasons. The Ice Dogs' game can be heard live via Web cast at www.ugahockey.com.

Rogers fourth at Valdosta Classic

Area golfers made strong showings at last weekend's Valdosta Junior Classic, held at the Valdosta Country Club. Watkinsville's Kyle Rogers was the top local finisher, tying for fourth place after carding a two-day total of 13-over 157, six strokes behind winner Matt Deal of Statesboro.

Whit Roper of Athens finished in a tie for 16th place with a score of 18-over 162; John Barrett Workman of Hartwell finished 38th at 28-over 172; Seth McWhorter of Athens finished in 48th place with a 32-over 176; Zach Grant of Monroe was tied for 53rd place with a 36-over 180; and Monroe's Will Ward finished in 65th place with a 56-over 200.

Rogers and Roper both placed in the top 10 in the Boys 16-18 division. McWhorter finished in 18th place in the boys 14-15 competition, and Grant finished tied for 21st place in the same division.

Lacrosse team hosts West Cobb

The Oconee County boys lacrosse team will play its second home game of the season at 3 p.m. Sunday at Herman C. Michael Park. The Warriors, coached by Adam Turner, are 1-1.

In the team's home opener on Feb. 21, Oconee defeated Tucker 8-2 as Chase Simpson scored six goals. George Maier and Dan Bennett also scored, with assists by Michael Reed (2), Jamie Henson and Kyle King.

Marist defeated the Warriors 15-7. Simpson, Bennett and Harris each recorded two goals, and Maier added a goal.

CCGA's teams ready for state meet

The Classic City Gymnastics Academy's boys teams posted impressive performances at the Hayden's Invitational last weekend in Evans.

The CCGA's Class 7 Compulsory team finished sixth in the team competition, and both the Optionals (Class 1 and 2) and Compulsories (Class 6 and 7) teams qualified for the state meet, which will be hosted by the Cobb Challengers March 13-14.

In the Optional competition, Craig Brown finished third in vault and second in parallel bars in Class 2 while Jamie Thompson finished first in floor, first in high bar and fourth all-around.

In the Compulsory competition, Thomas Allen Bryan finished fourth in rings in Class 7 (age 6-7); Alan Maxon was seventh in floor and Stephen Salum was third in vault and high bar in Class 7 (age 8-9); and Taylen Hardigree finished first in rights in Class 7 (age 10-11). In Class 6 (12 and over), Sam Cochran and Craig Kriesel both finished first in vault.